Continuing its support for the US Air Force’s Global Positioning System (GPS), Northrop Grumman Corporation has delivered 32 self-deploying monopole JIB antennas for the third, fourth, fifth and sixth GPS III satellites. The company’s Astro Aerospace strategic business unit delivered the antennas to Lockheed Martin, which leads the industry team developing GPS III satellites in Littleton, Colorado. When activated, the eight JIB antennas on each GPS III satellite will deploy to form an RF antenna array.

The GPS III programme will provide a cost-effective replacement for existing ageing GPS satellites, while providing an improved ability to meet the evolving demands of military, commercial and civilian users. GPS III satellites will: deliver three-times better accuracy; provide up to eight-times better anti-jamming capabilities; and include enhancements that extend spacecraft life by 25% compared with previous GPS systems.

Astro Aerospace, a pioneer of space-deployable structure technologies, has a perfect record of on-orbit deployments since it was founded
in 1958. It has delivered hardware for hundreds of space-flight missions and operates under the Aerospace Products group.